Project Hangul

‘Hangul’ (Kashmiri stag) is the only surviving species of the red deer family in Kashmir. The rare animal’s strength fell from 5,000 in the beginning of last century to 900 in 1980s, when militancy broke out in the border state. With the help of World Wildlife Fund’s ‘Project Hangul’ started in the 70’s, their population had gone to 340 by the 80’s. But it was short lived.

Many factors are responsible for the failure of this project.

1. There was no local people participation in the project. It was carried without the involvement of local communities such as Gujjars, Bakerwals, Nambardars, Chowkidars and Patwaris.
2. The project was confined focus around Dagwan, in a radius of 10 kms crying foul of Sheep breading Farm.
3. The government departments allowed establishing Cement factories around Dachingam National Park. They disturbed the wild areas.
4. There was illegal and reckless unscientific extraction of limestone stretching over miles after miles was carried under its nose. Those areas created death traps for animals.
5. The onset of militancy dealt a blow to conservation efforts.

Later the project was rechristened as “Save Kashmir’s Red Deer Hangul” in 2009.  Another attempt to save the Hangul was to breed it in captivity. Funds were sanctioned for captive breeding. Under the Species Recovery Programme, conservation breeding centres are opened at Sikargah Tral, Pulwama District and Kangan. But there not much progress on increasing the numbers.